I walk in and greet Mrs. Jackson before sitting down in my usual desk by the window.

With the gifted program I can work at my own pace instead of matching a teachers so I'm already ahead for the week. I pull out my sketchbook and begin to draw the image that popped into my head at lunch, ignoring the urge to add color to the image.  The swirls come to life as my pencil curves with preciseness.

I zone out for the rest of class, finishing the piece with a new found clarity.

*****

Turns out I also have U.S. History and study hall with Ashton. I was stuck with him and his smugness almost all day. How wonderful.

By the time the final bell rings my head is feeling 95% better. I've also managed to calm down tremendously from this mornings series of unfortunate events. I change in the locker room, hiding behind a set of lockers, before practice starts. Already counting down the minutes 'till it's over.

"Have you seen the new guy?" A hushed voice asks.

And the locker room gossip begins. One person's reply sticks out against the sea of yeses.

"Did you see that Scarlett has him wrapped around her finger?" I recognize it as Elsa Vincent, one of Avery's minions.

I most certainly do not! He just likes my friend group. Any one of them can have him, they'd be doing me a favor.

"Do you think he's as messed up as she is? I mean surely there has to be some reason he would talk to her." Anna Jones asks what no doubt the entire squad is thinking. My blood begins to boil as I wait for someone to say something.

Ella and Stella have already changed, picking up Saffron for me. Surely though, someone will be on my side.

Eventually, Avery fills the silence, "Don't be ridiculous. No one can be that good looking and as fucked up as Scarlett. He just needs a little push in the right direction." 

That's true family love right there.

Before they can continue their plan to wow Ashton, Madison Sims, head cheerleader, walks into the locker room. "Enough chit chat. I want everyone outside in five minutes, stretched and ready to go!"

I take her appearance as a good opportunity to sneak out of the room unnoticed. Their words echo in my head the entire walk down to the practice field. I'm not a total basket case. I have problems, sure, but who doesn't? But maybe they're right.

Perhaps the only thing keeping Ashton with us was the fact that he doesn't know any better. Eventually he'll move on and it will still be just me, my two friends, and my siblings. Just the way things should be.

I start stretching for practice, watching Ashton walk to the football field, pads in hand. A small part of me can't help but admit that he looks good in football clothes. He's wearing a skin tight tank top and pants that accent his muscles. I expect him to walk by me and my gawking but he stops.

"Enjoying the show, Sweetheart?" His gray eyes bright with amusement.

I don't allow myself to blush in embarrassment, that would only fuel the fire that is Ashton McClain's ego. "Nope. I was just wondering why you have your football stuff when we're about to play the first round of playoffs?"

He puts down his gear and begins to toss his football in the air, drawing attention to his arms. "Last I checked your team just lost its star quarterback and Coach begged me to play."

I wince thinking about Gavin Dean. He was tackled last game of the regular season, his leg snapped basically in half. How convenient that Ashton is a quarterback, like he wasn't cocky enough already.

One more arrogant jerk for the squad to cheer for, every teenage girls dream.

"You don't really strike me as the cheerleader type."  He says, still throwing the ball in the air.

I scoff, "I'm not."

"Then why are you?"

I snag the football mid throw. "That's for me to know and you to wonder."

The only reason I even got started in cheer was because of Ella and Stella. They convinced me to join sixth grade year and somehow I'm now in the running for head cheerleader.

Life truly works in mysterious ways.

"What's that on your hands?" He questions, taking one of my hands into his to examine the black markings.

Shit. I forgot to wash off the charcoal from sketching. I'm stunned for a moment by the size of his hands compared to my own. And the fact he's holding my hand for the whole school to see.

"It's nothing, just some pencil lead." I shake his hand off and we begin to toss the ball back and forth.

My mind wanders back to lunch and how Ashton turned down Avery's offer. Perhaps he was different compared to others. As if thinking of the devil makes her appear, Avery strolls over to us or more specifically Ashton, a smile on her red lips.

Her shorts are rolled up so many times they could be considered underwear. Her sports bra on full display for the football team to ogle at. More than a few guys stop walking to stare at her, Gabe Kline even runs into a pole.

"Ashy Poo! I'm sooo happy to see you! I can't wait to cheer you on Friday night!" She squeals in her annoying high pitched voice as she flings herself onto him. It's like lunch never happened.

Ashton looks at me for help but I just shake my head. He can get out of this mess on his own. He quickly pries Avery off.

"Oh look, I think coach is calling me over, don't want to be late." He says, pointing at Coach Edwards, who's talking on his phone. Smooth save Ashton.

"See you later, Sweetheart." He calls to me as he jogs off, taking the football with him.

Now I can't hit Avery in the head with it.

"I'd prefer it if you didn't!" I holler back, a smile fighting its way onto my face as I watch him leave.

"What do you think you're doing?" Avery demands, pulling the smile off my face.

"I'm stretching, getting ready for practice, something you should be doing too."

She walks over, staring down at me in attempt to assert dominance even though we're almost the same height. I roll my eyes, fighting the urge to shove her down the hill.

"Stay away from Ashton McClain, he's mine." She threatens. Big talk for someone who has a boyfriend.

I begin to laugh. "You can have him Avery. Now go put on your shirt before you have to run, it's mandatory."

"Not when you look like this it isn't." She gestures to all her exposed skin, a smug smile on her face. She doesn't have to say anything for me to catch her insult.

"Yes, it is, now change." Madison commands as she walks up. Avery stomps her foot before walking back to the locker room, putting a good show on for the boys in the process.

"Madison, is it ok if Saffron sits in on practice today?" I ask hesitantly. Noticing Ella and Stella walking over to the field with Saffron holding both of their hands.

"Of course, Scarlett, that li'l firecracker is welcome whenever she wants." She assures me before walking over to talk to the other girls.

Saffron's become a regular at practice but I still like to make sure it's ok. Most days I try, and fail, to find someone to watch her. Ella's parents help out a lot but they can't help full time. All three boys are practicing right now so no one else can watch her.

I go through the motions of our cheers and chants, effortlessly executing the motions while my mind begins to wander back to the words from the locker room. Why is Ashton talking to me?

"Avery, tighten your arms." Madison calls out.

"Avery, fix your stance."  A few minutes later.

"Avery, I shouldn't have to remind you to yell the words."  I hold back a laugh at this.

My Uncle Robert's money bought Avery a spot on the team freshman year, shortly after they learned I made the high school team. She never had a tryout or an interest. I'm pretty sure the only reason she's on the team was for the popularity and to one up me.

"That's it, go give me three laps, Avery. Everyone else take a water break while we wait." She begins to walk, causing Madison to add. "If you don't hustle you're not cheering Friday night."

That puts a little pep in her step. I sip on my water, taking my time to enjoy my cousin's punishment.

"Was that Ashton I spotted on the football field?" Stella asks nonchalantly.

"Yes, it was, he's replacing Gavin Dean as quarterback." I give her a look, knowing exactly where she's going with this conversation. There's only so much Ashton pining I can handle in one day.

"Poor Gavin" Ella sighs, setting her water bottle on the ground.

"Lucky us." Stella corrects her, her eyes focused on the field below.

We watch the football team, commenting on their butts. I'm surprised to say that Ashton doesn't look half bad out there. They're given a short break, allowing him to finally notice the crowd he's attracted.

He waves at us and the girls wave back, half the squad completely entranced by him. I flip him the bird, deciding it was the kindest way to say hello. His laugh echoes up to me, making me want to join him.

"Scarlett!" A voice screams out.

I turn to find Sam, Stella's younger brother and the twins best friend, running towards us full speed.

"Scarlett!" He repeats as he comes to a stop.  "It's Silver-"

*****

Two posts within 24 hours, whoop, whoop.
I hope everyone in liking this story.
PLEASE LIKE, COMMENT, AND SHARE.
XO-Mo